gift

November 9, 2017 By Jason DeBord

WITHDRAWN: Bonhams Pulls “A Luke Skywalker Lightsaber used in Return of the Jedi” from “TCM Presents… Out Of This World!” Auction

Last week The Original Prop Blog published an article about the “A Luke Skywalker Lightsaber used in Return of the Jedi” prop up for public auction in their current “TCM Presents … Out of This World!” event scheduled to conclude on November 21st. The description in the online catalog had been edited to remove the (vague) details about the provenance, and the piece in question seems to match a “Return of the Jedi” lightsaber prop that I wrote about in 2013 that was offered for sale on eBay and seemed to have a connection with Elstree Props. Today, the lot is marked as “WITHDRAWN” on the item page. [Read more…]

November 3, 2017 By Jason DeBord

“A Luke Skywalker Lightsaber used in Return of the Jedi” in Current Bonhams Auction Raises Questions

Bonhams has put up a piece for public auction in their current “TCM Presents … Out of This World!” event scheduled to conclude on November 21st – a prop which they describe as “A Luke Skywalker Lightsaber used in Return of the Jedi”. The description in the online catalog has been edited to remove the (vague) details about the provenance, and the piece in question seems to match a “Return of the Jedi” lightsaber prop that I wrote about in 2013 that was offered for sale on eBay and seemed to have a connection with Elstree Props (and went unsold with a high bid of $5,101 not reaching the reserve). The 2013 article about that “Return of the Jedi” lightsaber was one of a series of features published on the Original Prop Blog specifically about Elstree Props and lightsaber props attributed to Return of the Jedi (I even had an opportunity to ask Mark Hamill himself about one of these props at San Diego Comic Con in 2009). [Read more…]

June 25, 2016 By Jason DeBord

Temporary Restraining Order Stops Heritage Auctions’ Sale of Whitney Houston’s Emmy Award

U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson issued a temporary restraining ordering blocking Heritage Auctions from selling Whitney Houston’s 1986 Emmy Award for “Saving All My Love for You” at auction. Their “Entertainment & Music Memorabilia Signature Auction – Beverly Hills” took place on June 24th and 25th. In spite of the piece being pulled from auction and returned to the Houston family, the remaining lots of her personal property and memorabilia brought in approximately half a million dollars. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences had filed a lawsuit against Heritage Auctions to stop the sale of the Statue, which they contend is a loan to recipients and their families, not a gift that can be offered for sale to the highest bidder. [Read more…]

June 23, 2016 By Jason DeBord

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Attempts To Stop Sale of Whitney Houston’s Emmy Award by Heritage Auctions

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has filed a lawsuit against Heritage Auctions as well as a consignor in their current auction, Whitney Houston’s estate, in an effort to block the sale of her 1986 Emmy Award for “Saving All My Love for You”, which she performed at the Grammy’s. Heritage is fighting the efforts to pull the award from their auction. [Read more…]

March 15, 2014 By Jason DeBord

Exclusive Preview: John Rhys-Davies’ Personal Screen-Used Hero Gimli Axe From Lord of the Rings Features in Julien’s Auctions “Hollywood Legends” Sale in April

On the heels of their “Trilogy Collection” auction of Lord of the Rings material late last year, next month Julien’s Auctions will feature the best piece from Peter Jackson’s Academy Award-winning franchise yet: a screen-used hero Gimli double-headed axe, from the personal collection of John Rhys-Davies. This piece was given to Rhys-Davies on the last day of filming by Peter Jackson himself. The hero axe was used in The Two Towers. Julien’s Auctions full catalog for this sale will be debuting next week (see Hollywood Legends). [Read more…]

April 29, 2013 By Jason DeBord

Yet Another Luke Skywalker “Screen Used” Return of the Jedi Lightsaber Movie Prop with Elstree Studios/Elstree Props/Danziger Collection Connections Surfaces on eBay

Continuing a long line of “screen used” Luke Skywalker prop lightsabers attributed to Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi with connections to Elstree Studios/Elstree Props/The Danziger Collection, yet another one has surfaced for sale on eBay. Although there are photos of the prop and related documents and certificates of authenticity (COAs) from “Piece of the Stars Memorabilia” (a company I have never heard of before), of course the resolution of these images are limited to 500px × 375px (do cameras still exist today that shoot at such a low resolution?), rendering examination challenging, to say the least. In the interests of public debate and discussion, Original Prop Blog has long documented the public sale offerings of other prop lightsabers attributed to Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in Return of the Jedi that have similar origins and associations, which can be found HERE. [Read more…]

November 27, 2009 By Jason DeBord

Annual Holiday Warning About Buying Fake and Fraudulent Movie Props, Costumes, and Memorabilia as Gifts

Since today is “Black Friday”, I thought it would be appropriate to republish an editorial that I posted last year as the holiday season approached, warning consumers against the purchase of television and movie props, costumes, and other assets as gifts for loved ones. [Read more…]

May 9, 2009 By Jason DeBord

Superman Costume Comparative Analysis: Warner Bros. Archive, Authenticated vs. “Super Hollywood”

I started asking questions about Superman costumes in the marketplace, attributed to the Christopher Reeve films of the 70s and 80s, over two years ago. Since, I have published over 100 related articles, asking questions and sharing information and insights – all in an attempt to bring clarity to the marketplace and empower collectors and other interested parties with more information with which to make their own assessments and conclusions. [Read more…]